Westchester County's Top Ten Views

Ben and I have lived in Port Chester, NY for close to a year now. One of the many benefits of living here is the access we have to gorgeous natural areas. To the east lies the rocky shore of the Long Island Sound. The western edge of the county is marked by the wide and mighty Hudson River, including parts of its scenic highlands. The northern reaches of the county include scenic reservoirs, rural roads, and peaceful quiet. And when we crave a culture fix, all we have to do is cross the county's southern border to end up in NYC with its endless fascinations.

This beauty can be taken in from scenic viewpoints located all over the county. Here are my top ten favorite Westchester views.

10. Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch

The Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch is part of the Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary which is maintained by the Nature Conservancy and located near Mt. Kisco. Wooden bleachers sit at the top of a ridge, providing a nice perch for birdwatchers on the lookout for raptors. The view of the birds and rolling hills is diminished by the highway noise from I-684, located just below.

9. Rockwood Hall

The stone foundation on which we're sitting is all the remains of Rockwood Hall, an old gilded age mansion just north of Tarrytown. Now it's part of the larger Rockefeller State Park and Preserve. There's a wonderful loop hike that passes through the remains of the manor, winds through the woods, and parallels the train tracks by the river. It also looks like a great place to sled in the wintertime.

8. Larchmont Manor Park

Residents of an upscale Larchmont neighborhood own and operate Larchmont Manor Park, which is open for public use. Picnicking and ball-playing are prohibited, but visitors are welcome to walk around the paths, sit in the gazebos, and take in the sweeping views of the Sound. The park provides one of the few public access points to the Sound in Westchester County and is the only one that offers nearby free street parking in the summer.

7. Kensico Dam

The Kensico Dam contains over a million cubic feet of stone, more than some of the pyramids in Egypt. It was completed in 1917 and the reservoir that it holds back provides some of NYC's water. It's over 300 feet tall so climbing the steps from bottom to top offers a solid workout. The plaza below the dam hosts a number of ethnic festivals in the summer months including the Jewish cultural festival.

6. Pierson Park

Pierson Park in Tarrytown provides direct Hudson River access and sweeping views of the new Tappan Zee Bridge. The park is part of the much longer Hudson River Greenway, which parallels the Hudson all through the county. The section here is pristinely maintained with wide paths, pretty plants, and fun amenities for the whole family like a pool, a playground, a restaurant, and a cafe/ice cream stand. Sunset is a particularly nice time here.

5. Turkey Mountain

Located in Yorktown Heights, Turkey Mountain is one of those hikes that offers a solid payoff in terms of views along with a solid workout as the trail quickly climbs a couple hundred feet. From the summit it's possible to see the Manhattan skyline, the Croton Reservoir, and the Hudson River.

4. Ward Pound Ridge

Ward Pound Ridge, in the northeastern corner of the county, is Westchester's largest park. It's a quiet and peaceful place that feels a world away from the hubbub of the NYC metro area. The hike we took passed by this sweeping view of the Cross River Reservoir and brought us inside a cave used by the mysterious Leatherman of Westchester and Connecticut.

3. Bear Mountain State Park

Bear Mountain State Park provides views of Westchester County even though it is not in Westchester County. While the 360 degree vista from the Perkins Memorial Tower at the summit is impressive, I prefer the scenic overlook at a slightly lower elevation of the Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony's Nose, one of Westchester County's highest points. The hike to that summit is quite steep and strenuous, so for people who are in less good shape, are short on time, or are not wearing hiking clothes, driving to this viewpoint on the other side of the river is a great alternative.

2. Playland Pier

One of the more accessible parts of the Sound in Westchester is the Playland. This historic amusement park features a boardwalk, bars and restaurants, art deco buildings, amusement rides including an old wooden roller coaster, and this lovely fishing pier. The light just before sunset enhances the nostalgic beauty of the place.

1. Croton Gorge Park

My favorite Westchester view is the waterfall in Croton Gorge Park. We were lucky to visit on a quiet, beautiful day. The combination of the massive dam, the arched bridge, and the rushing waterfall make for quite a dramatic site. The walk to the top is relatively easy and offers a sweeping view of the reservoir and a better sense of how the spillway works. We even saw a rainbow in the rapids.